Belvedere

3 StarStarStarStarStar

Belvedere is a 40% ABV vodka from Poland. It is filtered with Charcoal. The vodka is imported by Millennium Imports LLC. The quality is considered to be good. The average price is around $28.70 per 750mL. Rated 3 out of 5 based on 15 reviews.

The bottle states the following:

Warsaw, Poland. Poland’s expert distillers are recognized for crafting the world’s finest vodka. Belvedere, meaning “beautiful to see,” is the name of the historic Presidential Palace in Poland, and is a fitting title for perhaps the worlds most delicious vodka. Handcrafted from 100% Polish rye and distilled four times, following traditions handed down for over 500 years.

Belvedere Vodka Review

3 StarStarStarStarStar

I’ve been leery of Belvedere because I linked it to Grey Goose. I decided to give it a go.

The Shot

I was really surprised at Belvedere. I was expecting more from a top shelf vodka. It’s a little bitter. It stays a little bitter, then remains bitter after the swallow. It only burns a little, but I expect completely smooth from a vodka that claims to be of this quality (by price, that is).

The Mixed Drink

Belvedere is a great mixer. It mixes perfectly with Passion Fruit juice. I can’t taste the vodka at all. Belvedere, it seems, is made for mixing.

Opinions

Erin said it was a good mixer but, “it just tastes like a mixed drink.” I guess she meant it wasn’t exceptional.

I like Belvedere as a mixer, but it isn’t very impressive as a shooter. For the price, it’s really overrated. There are better vodkas for the same price, and similar quality for less.

Rated 3 out of 5.

Robert Brodrecht

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By BJ

    No Rating

    Can’t agree with you on this rating, my friend. On your Vox review, I concur completely. However, Belvedere still remains one of my personal favorites. I’m looking forward to trying some of your other recommendations, but I’m a little wary after the low score you gave Belvedere. Looks like the users rating is higher than yours, which says something. Well, after all, it’s a subjective thing, rating vodka. :-)

    BJ

    Reply

    • Belvedere Vodka Review By Robert

      Sorry for the delay in approving your comment. I thought I had done it already!

      Belvedere wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t impressive when I expected to be impressed. With middle shelf vodkas like Sobieski (also from Poland) doing a great job of representing the country at a very reasonable price, I’d expect “Luxury Reborn” to show me quality I can’t get from an every-man’s vodka. Belvedere let me down.

      That said, I’d still buy it over Grey Goose.

      Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By V12power

    5 *****

    Im going to do a quick review about this. Belvedere is my favorite vodka. It has great taste drinking straight, and is also great mixed or in a shot. It costs $29.99 for a 750mL and it is worth every penny. If you are about to buy a handle or a liter for 30 bucks stop and try a Belvedere 750mL. You wont be disappointed.

    V12power

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Andreas

    5 *****

    Excellent stuff! I must say that the taste of Belvedere definitively appeals to me. One of the best brands on the market.

    Andreas

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By AZWolverine

    4 *****

    Very good Polish rye vodka, smooth and sweet. In my tasting I chose it as slightly better than Chopin, a Polish potato vodka, and usually I prefer the potato.

    AZWolverine

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Frank B

    5 *****

    Going to go against the grain, here, because I think Belvedere is a GREAT Vodka. Not quite as good as Tito’s, but certainly better than the Goose.

    Better mixed than neat. Really, a superb Vodka!

    Frank B

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Frank

    4 *****

    OK, I purchased a 1.75 L on Long Island, NY with coupon for 39.99 from its 49.99 regular price. I know Belvedere and Goose fetch inflated prices for their quality. The nose is similar to Goose. It’s not an offensive, nor straight rubbing alcohol aroma, but it’s apparent upon opening. At room temperature, the shot was smooth at first but has a burn going down. Not sure if people refer to burn as bitterness or lack of smoothness, but this has a bite on the finish. Completely understand consumers expecting smoother product for the cost. It’s not worth the regular price, nor is Goose at a greater price still. That’s judging on neutrality and cleanliness of the shot, which some folks use as a standard. Personally, It’s drinkable straight at room temp no chaser. I love Eastern European Vodkas so I don’t care. Without that coupon I’d have steered clear, otherwise it’s a respectable product. 3.5 to 4 rating.

    Frank

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Scott

    5 *****

    I love Belvedere. I find it very smooth and easy to drink neat. It’s right up there with Tito’s as far as I’m concerned, and, to my tastes, maybe even just a little bit better.

    Scott

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Margo

    4 *****

    It’s one of my favorites but the price is very high. Chopin is probably my favorite so far, but ditto the price. So I will say it makes an excellent martini, a little dirty.

    Margo

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By neefoon

    No Rating

    Shooter:
    I only Shoot it with a wedge of fresh Orange straight afterwords.
    u should give it a try.. it makes this vodka worth keeping in the bar ;)
    Cheers :)

    neefoon

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Austin

    5 *****

    Alright I decided to do this test with a fellow spirit critique to get things right.

    We did a blind taste test between Belvedere, 360 Vodka and Sobieski. With lime in between tests, and a swig or two of water to cleanse the pallet.

    We rate the vodkas and smoothness and taste…

    Both me and my fellow taster rated Belvedere as the smoothest, without much of a burn. We rated 360 with the most taste, with a very crisp front like taking a breath of air after a new fallen snow. The Sobieski was a great in between. However, what gave it away was the ethanol smell that the Belvedere and 360 lacked.

    Over all I loved the Belvedere, thought it was smooth and had a very neutral taste. However I got it on sale for 23 bucks at a local grocery store. I would never pay for a 37 dollar bottle of vodka (which is the normal price around here). Factoring in the taste with the vodka, its “okay”. I would expect a vodka to go down way smoother, and with less bite for almost 40 bucks for a 750ml.

    When you could easily pay 20 dollars for the same bottle of 360 vodka, or even less for Sobieski, seems impractical even if someone can afford the high price tag.

    Again, loved the vodka, thought it was smooth and right on. But it was nothing I couldn’t get in a cheaper priced vodka.

    Austin

    Reply

    • Belvedere Vodka Review By Robert

      @Austin it seems like, in my experience, all three you sampled were great vodkas. Depending on what you’re after, each one could be the best. I know I pick based on a ton of variables. I’m not a fan of Belv in general, but I wouldn’t turn it down with a friend. 360 and Sobieski are personal favs of mine, though.

      Reply

      • Belvedere Vodka Review By Austin

        We did the blind taste test again with my wife this time. She however is not a fan of vodka, having said that she also picked belvedere as the smoothest with the least burn. Just another data point…

        Reply

    • Belvedere Vodka Review By Matthew

      I just bought a 750ml bottle of Belvedere from the ABC liquor store for $14. The next size up being $28. You’re getting ripped off.

      Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By slcmetalhead

    2 *****

    This stuff has a mild smell – faintly citrusy. Not the most odorless vodka I’ve encountered, but the scent is pretty minimal.

    The taste also smacks of citrus, something like a dry gin. However, it’s got quite a burn to it, though not enough to elicit a cough. It’s not nearly as smooth an experience as I had hoped for. The aftertaste is a bit sweet… also a little bitter. It certainly lingers, in any case.

    Overall, it’s not a bad vodka, but it’s pretty ordinary, and grossly overpriced at $30 a fifth. I’d give this three stars for flavor alone, but in light of the price, I’m giving it 2 stars.

    slcmetalhead

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Jerry Joe Bob

    3 *****

    I’m half Russian a quarter Polish and an eighth Ukranian so I have vodka in my blood and I was disappointed by Belvedere. Usually I prefer Russian vodkas like Russian Standard Platinum and Stoli 100 proof which are two of my favorites, American Harvest is a strong newcomer competitor and Sobieski I give 4/5 due to the price, so I figure I know vodka and drink many different vodkas. Belvedere just did not impress me, it has a fruity and floral finish that surprised me as well as a bit of harshness I would not expect in a vodka with this price tag. The buzz from it is nice but the taste is just not that clean that I would expect on a bottle with this price tag, would drink this over Sminoff, Svedka, and garbage like that but I think I like Sobieski a bit more than this and at half the price too.

    Jerry Joe Bob

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By yesiamblonde

    No Rating

    I L.O.V.E. Belvedere Vodka. It is the smoothest vodka out there!!!!

    yesiamblonde

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By rbdeli

    No Rating

    Goodness, this really is an over-rated vodka. I discovered one called Russian Shot for less than half the price of the Belvedere and it was a better vodka! Smoother, creamier and well done. My own review on Belvedere very much reflects the opinions here.

    http://productreviewratings.com/2011/07/belvedere-vodka/

    rbdeli

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By taffyg2003

    3 *****

    I finally had a chance to try a Belvedere martini last night, and must say that it reminded me very much of Grey Goose. The flavor was a little softer than the Goose, but the bitterness and the burn on swallowing was similar. Of the seven vodkas that I have rated so far, I would rate it sixth, just ahead of Grey Goose. It’s not bad, but with the far superior Tito’s at home or the very nice Ketel One readily available at most bar and restaurants, I would have little reason to select it again.

    taffyg2003

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Rich

    4 *****

    I personally think Belvedere is better than Goose, matter of face most of the times I’ve tried it I’ve found it pretty good. Admittedly most of the times I’ve tried it I’ve not exactly been sober to start with…

    Rich

    Reply

    • Belvedere Vodka Review By Robert

      @Rich, I’d take Belvedere over Grey Goose. There’s no shame in that. Belvedere is a bit better than Goose. I think there are better vodkas out there, of course, and definitely better for the price.

      Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Anne

    5 *****

    I think this a great vodka, very smooth and perfect to drink it straight or for a classy cocktail. I must admit that i’m a very big fun of the brand, last week i bought a bottle of Belvedere Pure and one of each flavor, citrus, orange and raspberry, got a great price for them at http://en.mokaon.com/spirits/vodka, and because i spend more than 100€ the delivery was free! Very happy with my new addition to the bar, i’m thinking of tasting the Crystal Head, wich caught my attention at the same shop, love the bottle but don’t know if the vodka inside is worth it, any hints??
    Cheers!

    Anne

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Taffyg2003

    3 *****

    For the first time in a couple of years, I had a Belvedere martini up with olives at a local restaurant. It seemed rather ordinary overall, and excelled at nothing. It was smooth, but I’ve had smoother. It also did not have much flavor, but what was there emphasized the bitter rather than the sweet side of the flavor. It was smooth on the swallow, but the mild aftertaste kept the vodka’s bitterness lingering on my tongue. If the flavor were just a bit sweeter, this would be a very good vodka. Too bad. At least the bottle is elegant.

    Taffyg2003

    Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By yesiamblonde

    No Rating

    How can I rate Belvedere Vodka???????????????

    yesiamblonde

    Reply

    • Belvedere Vodka Review By Robert

      When you’re logged in, there is a “Rate It Now!” label in the box at the top just below the user rating. Click the shot glass to give it a 1-5 rating.

      Reply

  • Belvedere Vodka Review By Ben

    No Rating

    Well, my friend and I did the big vodka showdown. Sobieski, Svedka, Belvedere, Grey Goose and Chopin. All were room temp or slightly cooled. I found Belvedere to be less sweet and more mellow compared to Sobieski head to head. Overall, I preferred Belvedere, but I was rooting for Sobieski admittedly. Chopin was a bit smoother and mellow, but had some funkiness to its flavor (like garlic, onions, or something) and I had to give Belvedere the nod. Grey Goose was very similar to Belvedere, but was a bit harsher and had more heat and lingering bitterness after the swallow. The nod went to Belvedere. It also mixed well with my Mountain Dew. My friend had similar conclusions. I didn’t do side by side shot comparisons with Svedka, though.

    Ben

    Reply

    • Belvedere Vodka Review By Robert

      Interesting thoughts. I got some Chopin the other day when Daniel (helps me review sometimes) wanted to celebrate a poker win. I really like Chopin, but I didn’t pick up on the flavors you mention. Maybe I like garlic and onion? It’s been awhile since I’ve had Belvedere, but I think I agree with your assessments vs Goose. Ultimately, though, I’ll take Svedka or Sobieski (if I could find it anywhere) for the bang for the buck.

      Reply

      • Belvedere Vodka Review By taffyg2003

        Robert, I was reviewing some of the older posts when I noticed your comment from 2009. I do not recall any garlic or onion flavors in Belvedere, either. However, it dawned on me that Ben may have been referring to what I have described as a vinegar-like flavor that I had twice noticed from a bottle of Crystal Head. I think that both Belvedere and Crystal Head are sealed with cork stoppers, and I am wondering if the cork may, at times, impart a garlic/onion/vinegar-like flavor to the vodka. If this is possible, perhaps over time the cork leaves a residue on the inside of the top of the bottle that gets quickly flushed away and into the drink being poured. I have noticed this odd flavor only after having cracked open a bottle of Crystal Head that had been sitting for several months. Additional drinks poured soon afterwards did not exhibit this effect, so logic would suggest that the cork may be the source.

        I am writing as thoughts come to mind, and with no research to support my theory, there may be no truth to my explanation. I guess that the next step will be a Google search and research. ;-)

        Reply

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